Greening up greenhouse insulation

University student collaboration to revolutionise greenhouse insulation

City, St George’s University and UK-based SME Envirup Limited joined forces to push the boundaries of greenhouses through innovative insulation technology. Envirup’s novel design enhances temperature control, reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling, and extends growing seasons, ultimately increasing crop yields. While the impact on commercial agricultural applications is promising, Envirup’s founder, Assim Ishaque, decided to first adapt the concept for residential markets to ensure a smooth entry into production.

The collaboration began when City, St George’s University posted a call on konfer, a platform connecting academic institutions with industry professionals. The university sought companies with projects that could provide practical challenges for students enrolled in the MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering programme. Envirup responded enthusiastically, recognizing the mutual benefits of this partnership: businesses receive innovative input, while students gain hands-on experience solving real-world problems.

Two MSc students were tasked with refining Envirup’s patented greenhouse insulation panels. Their work centered on critical aspects such as the panel frame, ventilation systems, door functionality, and overall structural integrity. The challenge was to balance the complex requirements of greenhouse environments with the necessity of simplifying components and minimizing costs.

Assim Ishaque praised the students’ contributions, describing them as instrumental in advancing the design to its current, refined stage. “The students demonstrated exceptional capabilities, and their insights have helped us move closer to realizing our vision,” Ishaque stated. With this progress, Envirup is now preparing to partner with manufacturers to bring this groundbreaking technology to market.

City, St George’s University echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of collaborations like this in fostering innovation and providing students with meaningful academic experiences. Students George Yahchouchy (MEng Aeronautical Engineering) and Janisan Ketheeswaran (MEng Mechanical Engineering) added “The Envirup project helped us strengthen our technical abilities and gave us invaluable real-world experience in design and manufacturing. Being able to contribute to a sustainable innovation while learning directly from industry was a unique and rewarding experience.”

This partnership showcases the transformative potential of academic-industry collaboration, paving the way for a sustainable and efficient future in agriculture.

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